Race fans flocked to Pine Ave. on Thursday for a day of festivities, which included a ceremony at the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame, and culminated with Thunder Thursday, a car show and motocross exhibition, at the Pike Outlets.
As the city gears up for the 49th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend, the free, family friendly events are a way for everyone to get a feel for the days ahead.
“Thunder Thursday is a community event. It’s free to everyone so that even if they can’t make it, they can still experience what they would see if they were to come the rest of the weekend,” said President and CEO of the Grand Prix Jim Michaelian, “They get to see a car show, motocross, a pit competition and even talk to some of the drivers.”
Before the cars and motocross riders dazzled under a setting sun at the Pike Outlets, two drivers were inducted into the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame on Pine Ave.
This year’s inductees were Takuma Sato and Katherine Legge.
Sato is the first ever Japanese driver to be inducted and he took to the podium to express his gratitude.
“Being here is such a huge moment, not just for me, but for Japan too,” Sato said, “I am really honored and happy to make a new page in history.”
Fellow inductee, Legge is the first-ever female driver to be honored on the walk of fame.
“It is one of the biggest honors of my career to be here, honestly,” Legge said. “When I first came to America, I came to the streets of Long Beach. This is the most special moment in my racing career, and my life for sure.”
After the Walk of Fame ceremony, fans returned to Pine Avenue a few hours later to enjoy the free fan event, Thunder Thursday.
The bandstands overlooking Shoreline Drive were full with a crowd whooping and cheering loudly as they watched drivers and their pit crews go head to head in a speed competition.
The pit competition was followed by stunts performed by motocross riders who soared through the air, much to the excitement of on-lookers.
After the stunt show, fans trickled into the Pike Outlets where live music was blasting and race cars lined the streets, awaiting photo ops.
Thunder Thursday may be over but the anticipation for day 1 of the Grand Prix weekend is alive and well.